Understanding the School of Magic in a Wished Spell in DD 5E

In the splendid world of Dungeons Dragons 5th Edition, the Wish spell stands as a powerful and versatile tool. However, questions often arise regarding the specifics of using this spell, especially when it comes to the school of magic it belongs to and the associated spellcasting DC. This article aims to clarify these points based on official guidelines and DM best practices.

The School of Magic in a Wished Spell

The Wish spell in DD 5E is one of the most unique and powerful tools available to a character, allowing you to create a miracle or duplicate any existing spell. But what happens when you use Wish to replicate a specific spell? Is the resulting spell considered to be from the school of magic that was originally cast?

The official rules and Sage Advice do not provide a direct answer to this question. Therefore, it falls on the DM to make a ruling. The consensus among many experienced DMs is that the school of magic would be determined by the original spell you are replicating.

For example, if you use Wish to cast Fireball, which is an Evocation spell, the resulting spell would still be considered an Evocation spell. Conversely, casting Animate Undead (a Necromancy spell) through Wish would result in a Necromancy effect. This ruling ensures that the Wish spell remains balanced and does not turn it into an overly powerful tool.

Spellcasting DC in a Wished Spell

In DD 5E, the Wish spell allows you to duplicate any spell, and sometimes the spell's DC (saving throw DC, check DC, etc.) might apply to the effect. This is a critical point of consideration, especially when dealing with spells that have DCs built into their effects.

When using Wish to replicate a spell that has a DC, the question arises whether you should use your Intelligence (for a Wizard, Artificer, or other classes that use Intelligence for spellcasting) or your Wisdom (for a Cleric or other classes that use Wisdom for spellcasting).

Most experienced DMs and players agree that, much like the spell's school, you should use your class's normal spellcasting ability. This means that a wizard should use their Intelligence modifier, a bard should consider their Charisma, and a cleric should use their Wisdom. This approach ensures consistency and fairness within the game, maintaining the balance and flavor of the spellcasting mechanics.

Why These Rulings Make Sense

The rulings that the school of magic and DCs follow the original spell's school and spellcasting ability make logical sense for several reasons:

Consistency: These rulings ensure that the game remains consistent, with no single spell becoming too powerful or too weak compared to others of similar power. Balance: By adhering to the original spell's traits, the Wish spell remains balanced and does not disproportionately favor any specific class or spell school. Flavor: The spell's school and DC align with its original context, enhancing the narrative and thematic coherence of the game.

While the Wish spell is incredibly powerful and versatile, these rulings maintain its balance and keep the game exciting and challenging.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when replicating a spell using the Wish spell in DD 5E, the school of magic and DCs follow the original spell's traits. This ensures that the Wish spell remains a strong but balanced element of the game, promoting fairness and maintaining the essence of the spellcasting mechanics.

By understanding these rulings and applying them consistently, players and DMs can enjoy a rich and balanced gaming experience, ensuring that all classes and elements of the game remain engaging and fun.